François Saez, Paul Williams & Gordon Williamson

LEGION CONDOR

An unidentified Staffel of Kampfgeschwader 53

This cuffband was introduced on 12 June 1939 by
Luftwaffen-Verordnungsbtatt Nr. 29C, Order Nr 569. It was to be worn by
all members of Kampfgeschwader 53, Flak Regiment 9, and Luftnachrichten
Regiment 3, in commemoration of those airmen who fought in the Condor Legion
during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39.

The cuffband bore the inscription “Legion Condor”
in Gothic script lettering on a dark blue base and was worn on the lower
right sleeve.

Leutnant der Reserve and Ritterkreuztrager Otto Engel, a pilot in the 5th
Staffel of KG53

Machine-embroidered enlisted man / NCO cuffband

Hand-embroidered enlisted man / NCO cuffband

Detail of the above band ...

Unidentified Radio Operator / Air Gunner Feldwebel, a well-decorated veteran of the Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil
War.

An example of a private purchase quality cuff band

A wartime picture of a Condor Legion Observer's fliegerbluse

An NCO cuffband LEGION CONDOR worn

The hand-embroidered officer cuff band

An officer cufftitle LEGION CONDOR still on the tunic

A Legion Condor Ritterkreuzträger

The Soldbuch of Karl Schardey, II./K.G. 53 "Legion
Condor", listing the award of the unit's cuffband

Another page from a Soldbuch showing the award of the "Traditionsband Legion Condor" in June 1944